Is Hinge really designed to be deleted? I tested it to find out.

As one of Mashable’s sex, dating, and relationships writers, I’ve tested dozens of apps over the past few years, and Hinge is easily the one I get asked about most. Why? Because it’s the landing spot for everyone who's too horny to admit it (and wouldn't be caught dead on Tinder) and for the people who are genuinely ready to swap keys and get a dog together. It’s the app famously "designed to be deleted," and for better or worse, it’s where people go when they want to have an actual conversation IRL.

Some of my closest friends — and some Mashable staff members — have found love on Hinge (one is even engaged to her match now), so I know it can work. To help you decide if it’s worth the download for you, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about the app, from the sign-up process to the features that actually help you connect.

Getting started on Hinge

The onboarding process for Hinge is super easy. Once you've downloaded the app, just click “Create Account,” enter your phone number, and type in the verification code. There isn’t a Facebook login or any kind of Google or Apple login option right upfront, but I think that’s OK. It’s not like your phone number is viewable anywhere on the platform.

The first screen that pops up says, “You’re one of a kind. Your profile should be, too.” This immediately shows that Hinge is serious about getting to know you a little better than most mainstream dating apps.

The first question? What’s your name? Easy enough. There’s a little note at the top that says “NO BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE CONDUCTED,” which is honestly a little weird, but reassuring, I guess? There’s also a note that says your last name is optional, so if you’re wary about sharing your full identity, you can opt to omit it.

(After entering your name, you do get the option to connect a Google or Apple account. I’m not sure why this isn’t an option on the main login screen, but nevertheless, it’s there if you want it.)

Next, Hinge requests your email and asks for a verification code again. The fact that the app does two-step verification twice is pretty impressive; it makes it much less likely for someone to create a fake profile.

Defining who you are

Of course, your birth date (which Hinge says is only used to “calculate your age"), location, and gender identity are standard questions. Hinge lets you select up to four pronouns (e.g., they/them, she/her).

It offers “Man,” Woman,” and “Nonbinary” gender options, and from there you can add your gender identity, which includes a comprehensive list like genderfluid, genderqueer, trans, and others. If you don’t see yours, you can request it using the “Tell us if we’re missing something” button. You can also toggle whether or not these are visible on your profile.

Following this, you’ll be able to choose your sexuality. The options include:

• Straight

• Gay

• Lesbian

• Bisexual

• Allosexual

• Androsexual

• Asexual

• Autosexual

This is also optional to show on your profile. You’ll then be asked who you want to date, and nicely, you can select multiple options (some apps restrict you to just one).

The app asks for your relationship type next. You can choose from “Monogamy,” “Non-monogamy,” and “Figuring out my relationship type.” If you choose “figuring out,” you’ll be prompted to write up to 160 characters describing exactly what you’re looking for.

Dating intentions

Next are your intentions, and Hinge lists several options to choose from. One of the things I noticed here is that if you choose “prefer not to say,” a little note appears: “This will limit who sees your profile.” This is a good reminder of just how serious Hinge is about helping you meet the right match. If someone can’t share their intentions, they’re probably shady AF, and Hinge is recognizing this out loud.

Once you’ve gotten through that, you’ll be asked to fill in more details about yourself, including:

• Height (which is always visible on your profile)

• Ethnicity

• Children (another answer that will limit your profile if you don’t disclose this info)

• Family Plans (yet another answer that’ll limit who sees you)

• Virtues: Hometown, workplace, job title, school, education level, religious beliefs, and political views

Finally, it hits you with the vices: Do you drink, smoke tobacco, smoke weed, or use drugs? Note that for almost all of these, choosing “prefer not to say” will limit who sees your profile.

While it may seem a little invasive to limit profile views based on your answers, I think this is a really good way for people to meet the ones they’re actually meant to be with. This screening process is way more in-depth than most. It also makes it a good option for people who are sober or conscious about their alcohol intake (which a good chunk of Gen Z are).

Creating your profile

OK, now that you’ve gotten through the basic info, Hinge wants you to “show off” the person behind the screen.

Photos

First up: profile pics and videos. (It’s pretty cool that the app lets you upload videos, too.) There are six spaces for images or videos, and if you’re unsure of what to upload, Hinge offers a “see what works based on research” feature that guides you.

You're required to submit all six photos to move forward. I didn’t love this because I hate photos of myself, but I did love it for filtering others. The fact that users have to do this is a pretty good sign that there will be fewer bots and catfish on this app (and honestly, in my past testing, I never encountered a bot).

Prompts

After you’ve uploaded all six images/videos, you’ll be asked to write profile answers. You need to pick three prompts to start.

Some options include:

• This year, I really want to...

• I go crazy for...

• Give me travel tips for...

• Do you agree or disagree that...

• Don’t hate me if I...

• My last journal entry was about...

• Together, we could...

There are tons more across different categories, such as “self-care” and “date vibes.” You can write up to 225 characters for each. Once you fill out a prompt from one category, Hinge suggests filling out prompts from other categories to mix it up. And if your content is thin, Hinge’s AI will nudge you to “go a little deeper.”

You can also add an optional voice prompt to record up to 30 seconds of audio.

After all of that, Hinge gives you your first “Subscriber” pop-up. You can “Check it out” or click “Maybe later.” I’m super appreciative that this is the first time I’ve seen a push toward a paid subscription. Some apps (cough, eharmony) constantly push paid subscriptions.

And, voila! You’re finally finished setting up your profile.

Matching on Hinge

Whether you decide to keep going with your profile is up to you. You can see potential matches after the initial setup, or you can go back and edit details, add more, and see where things go. Of course, the app notes that to improve your match quality, you should complete more sections of your profile.

If you click “edit profile,” you’ll find the option to add a “Match Note,” which is a private message you can share with matches before you start chatting. Examples of what could go in here include things like whether you’re just getting out of a divorce, are recently sober, or are looking for a polyamorous relationship. It’s a dedicated space for the "need-to-know" info you might not want on your public profile.

Hinge also lets you add a poll, a video prompt, a voice prompt, and additional photos. If you’re wondering, the bare minimum we did above gets you to an 89 percent complete profile.

Unlike some other apps, Hinge lets you see full profiles and photos of potential matches for free. You can filter matches by gender, age, height, dating intentions, and more. This helps narrow your search down. More advanced filtering options are available only to paid subscribers (which I’ll cover in a bit).

On the main dashboard, you’ll have a home feed and a “Standouts” section (the star icon). These are people whom Hinge’s algorithm thinks you’d “be most excited about,” based on who’s getting the most attention, your dealbreakers, and your recent activity. “Standouts” are refreshed every 24 hours, so you can always browse new people the next day.

You’ll also see a “Likes You” section (the heart icon) where you can view profiles that have “liked” you. The cool thing here is that these people cannot connect with you unless you give the go-ahead. However, there’s a catch: free users can only view one incoming “like” at a time. You have to make a decision (match or skip) before you can see the next one. (If you have a paid subscription, you can see everyone who’s “liked” you at once.)

Also, once you send a “like,” you won’t see that profile again until they choose to match with you. And, you can only send eight "likes" per day. To prevent ghosting, Hinge also enforces "Your Turn Limits." If you have eight or more conversations where it's your turn to reply, you won't be able to send any new "likes" until you message back or unmatch.

It’s all part of Hinge’s “intentional” philosophy: If you’re forced to really think about who you’re matching with, you’re less likely to just mindlessly swipe on everyone just because (looking at you, Tinder).

Safety and security

In addition to the standard chat features, Hinge has a surprisingly robust safety suite designed to keep the scammers (and creeps) at bay.

Selfie verification

If you click on your profile photo and hit the “Safety” tab, you’ll see “Selfie Verification” first. To get that coveted checkmark, you have to take a quick video selfie to prove you’re a real person. Hinge promises the video is private, but here’s the fine print: according to the pop-up, Hinge keeps three screenshots from that video for the life of your account to audit the feature. It also keeps the results, whether you pass or fail.

Comment filter

The comment filter is another safety option that even free Hinge users can activate. You can set an “auto” filter to catch disrespectful comments, or use "Hidden Words" to block specific words, phrases, and emoji from ever appearing in your notifications. (Goodbye, eggplant emoji.)

Hinge tucks these away in a “Hidden Likes” section, so you can still view them if you really want to check if the algorithm got it right. I like that it gives you the final say without forcing you to see the trash upfront.

Block list

You can also sync your phone contacts to your "Block List." This is a must-have feature if you want to preemptively ensure you never see your ex, your boss, or your cousin on the app.

Underneath these features, there’s a direct button to contact the Crisis Text Line and a Help Center with safety tips. It feels comprehensive without being too in-your-face.

How much does Hinge cost?

OK, so I’m pretty impressed with the free features, but if you’re interested in seeing what else this app has to offer, Hinge+ and HingeX are the paid subscription tiers that’ll get you extra perks and advanced filtering.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll get with each:

Hinge+

Cost: Starts at $19.99 per week

What you get:

• Unlimited “likes”

• See everyone who “likes” you at once (no blurring)

• Additional dating preferences (height, family plans, politics, vices)

• Sort all incoming “likes” by compatibility or recent activity

If you live in a big city and are overwhelmed by likes, this is worth it just to see everyone at once.

HingeX

Cost: Starts at $24.99 per week

What you get: Everything in Hinge+, plus:

• Enhanced recommendations: Better quality profiles in your Discover feed.

• Skip the Line: Your profile is shown to people you like sooner.

• Priority Likes: Your "likes" stay at the top of potential matches’ lists (so they see you first).

You can also buy à la carte options like "Boosts" (which increase who sees you by 11 times) and "Roses" (which, according to Hinge, are two times more likely to land you a date).

Is downloading Hinge worth it?

If you’re looking for a relationship (and not just a late-night “u up?” text), yes, Hinge is absolutely worth the download. There are so many features that come standard for free users, which is rare. Plus, the app’s clear focus on helping people actually meet someone right for them (and its dedication to making you feel safe and supported) is unmatched.

I’ve tested this app in multiple towns, from small suburbs to big cities, and I’ve consistently had better results here than anywhere else. As a bisexual person, I also appreciate that it doesn't pigeonhole me; I always have plenty of options across the board. If you're ready to delete an app for the right reasons (i.e., actually meeting someone), Hinge is still your best bet.